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The Minnesota Canoe Association supports activities and organizations that offer opportunities for youth to participate in paddle sports. We will be accepting proposals for funding requests from groups that do this work. Please submit an application letter that answers the following questions to board@mncanoe.org by May 20th. We may ask applicants to send a representative to speak with our board during our monthly meeting on May 23rd (7pm-9pm at Midwest Mountaineering).

- What is the mission of your organization and how does it align with the MCA's mission of promoting the future of paddling in Minnesota?- How long has your organization been working with youth?- What structures does your organization have in place to ensure it's future viability and continued positive impact on paddling opportunities for youth?- Is your organization registered with the state of MN as a non-profit?- Does your organization carry insurance? What kind?-

Rice Creek Boat Club is looking for both volunteer and paid coaches! We are growing and expanding to continue to introduce the paddle sports to Minnesota youth. You can be a part of the future of paddling! See job descriptions at our website: paddlercbc.org

Saturday February 11thMidwest Mountaineering - Expedition Room (In the basement. Ask any of the staff or follow the signs)

6:30-7:00: Gather/Meet and Greet with other members and board members. Jeff DuBois, president of Rice Creek Boat Club, will be there with info about their programming also.7:00-7:30: Annual Meeting. Update on 2016 and see what's coming in 2017! Board member elections.7:30-8:15: Presentation by Mark Neuzil, author of the recent book Canoes: A Natural History in North America8:15-8:30: Book signing opportunity. Mark will have books available for purchase.

If you haven't heard already there's going to be an awesome canoe race on the Mississippi coming up August 1st. The short course is 12 miles long, downstream...totally do-able! If you've been coming to Rookies you should make plans to do this race AND the MCA boats will be available for you to use. If you would like to reserve a Jensen 18 to use for the race email membership@mncanoe.org.

The Loppet Foundation is looking for a canoe instructor for this summer's Adventure Camps. It's a full time job at Wirth Park, teaching canoeing skills to kids ages 9-13. Looking for someone at least 18 years old who has some lifeguard/water safety background. But also a person who is excited about canoeing!

The MCA is looking for new board members for 2015. Openings for Racing Director and Director at Large. We're always looking for help with promotions also. If you're interested contact one of our current board members through the website or come to our December meeting on the 17th at Midwest Mountaineering from 7pm-9pm.

The DNR and Expolore MN are partnering to host the Minnesota State Water Trails Tourism Summit that will be held September 29th-30th in St. Cloud. The MCA will be there and we'd love to see you there also! All the info at: https://mca.clubexpress.com/content.aspx?page_id=87&club_id=709151&item_id=374264

Saturday August 9th is the Deux Pipe Canoe Race on the St. Louis River near Duluth. Saturday August 16th is the Big Island and Back Race on Lake Minnetonka starting at Excelsior Beach. Find all the info for both on the the MCA Calendar.

The longest sunlight day of the year is coming up! How are you going to fill up all those sunshine hours?? Join the MCA and Loppet for a Solstice Paddle. June 21st. Cedar Lake. 6pm till dusk. Check out all the info on the Events Calendar

High water all around! The Snake River was fast for the Mora Snake River Canoe race on Saturday. A course record was set by Dana Henry and Kate Ellis. Congrats to them and all the finishers. Spring canoeing can be fun but stay safe! See the results at: http://www.snakerivercanoerace.org/Canoe2014.pdf

A strong field came out for the Minnesota State Canoe Championships in Bemidji. Overall pro-boat winners were Dana Henry and Fred Kueffer. Joe and Anne Manns won for mixed. A big thanks to the organizers of this fun event!

Starting Thursday 8/15 we'll be having a second Rookie Racers session each week with a focus on specific techniques. Come and improve your skills. First week will be a stern paddling workshop...then sprints, starts, buoy turns,etc.

37 people showed up for Rookie Racers tonight which we believe is a record turnout. The weather was beautiful, the buoy turns were exciting and several people worked on being in the stern for the first time. Fun to see so many people being introduced to canoe racing!

The 50th annual Jensen Handicap race was held this morning on the Mississippi River in Brooklyn Park. Started when Gene Jensen was dominating canoeing competitions, it was an attempt to even the playing field. Racers show up without partners and partners are randomly assigned (within ability groups) so that ideally all the tandem canoes are fairly equally matched. The winners this year were Joe Manns and Molly Watkins. This is the oldest continuously running canoe race in the state of MN!

Slightly different format for Rookie Racers last night. We worked on sprints and buoy turns. Everyone paddled with several different partners and had opportunities to beat the heat in the shade on shore and analyzed technique at close range. Punch Pizza afterwards. A good time was had by all.

Are any MCA members interested in mentoring a kid who might not have the opportunity to go paddling? The Loppet Foundation has a mentoring program started that can pair you with a youth who is looking for someone who wants to spend time with them outdoors. Check out: http://www.loppet.org/loppet-adventure-clubs/loppet-mentors/ for all the info.

April is a great month to start canoeing again...And, it's a great month to join the MCA. This year our goal is to get 100 new or returning MCA members during the month of April. You can sign up now on our secure website. Cost is only $20 for a one year individual membership - that's less than last year! (Yes, we lowered the price). Help a support an organization that supports you and all the waterways and paddlers in the state of Minnesota! ...and tell your friends :)